The US president’s threat of a military invasion of Nigeria over claims of Christian genocide has been rejected by Nigerian youth leaders.
The call was issued in a press release on Wednesday by the Emerging Leaders Forum of Nigeria, or ELFON, which is made up of leaders from youth organizations such as the Arewa Youth Movement, Ohanaeze Youth Federation, Oduduwa Youth Parliament, National Association of Nigerian Students, Niger Delta Youth Front, and the Middle Belt Youth Forum.
The statement, which was signed by ELFON President Godstime Chukwubuikem Samuel, said that if Donald Trump truly wants to help fight insecurity, he should respect Nigerian sovereignty and pursue a route of dialogue.
“We want to state that we are against any form of military invasion on our country,” the statement said. We implore President Donald Trump to communicate with our President, Bola Ahmed Tinubu, about how he can best assist the Nigerian military in combating banditry, terrorism, and other social vices.
“We recognize the role that the United States has been allocated by the United Nations Convention on Counterterrorism, but Nigeria is a sovereign nation and we are capable of handling our own issues in our own way.
As young leaders of our beloved country, Nigeria, we would like to caution that politics are not yet appropriate and that the majority of us, the citizens, will fiercely oppose any attempt to divert President Bola Tinubu from his duties.
“Once more, we would want to urge President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to establish a youth directorate for each regional development commission in order to strengthen the youth development initiative throughout all of our nation’s geopolitical zones.
“Regardless of our tribes, positions, regions, or religious beliefs, all hands must be on deck for a better Nigeria.
“Sponsors of terrorism and banditry in Nigeria must be prosecuted immediately by security services.
